Abstract

The climatic proxies of the Buntsandstein and their relative precession are discussed. The hot and predominant arid climate of the Buntsandstein was interrupted by short periods of semi-arid to humid climate originating by the shift of the monsoonal belt. Most likely, the cyclic shifting was caused by the excentricity of the orbit (Milankovitch Cycles). The Calvörde Formation started with several semi arid cycles, followed by drier periods. On the whole, the Bernburg Formation was again more humid. In the centre of the basin, at times lakes existed. During the Volpriehausen and the lower Detfurth Formation, this climate continued. Starting with the upper Detfurth Formation, the monsoonal precipitation increased. Precipitation culminated in the Solling Formation, forming an extensive lake in northern Germany. The Upper Buntsandstein, the Röt, was more arid. The climax of aridity was in the Röt 3 member, whereas the uppermost Röt, the Röt 4 member, was less arid.